As Spring limps its way closer, I am continually drawn to the outdoors.  Although I live, study and work in the city, I love the woods and outdoor activities, such as hiking and camping.  I love the feeling of freedom I get in the woods, from electronics, responsibilities, and the bustle of New York.  My favorite place to go is the woods by my house.  I can go and walk up to the top of a small mountain that is one of the state parks and just sit there for hours, looking out over the landscape.  I always bring a book with me, too, to read while I eat a lunch or relax.

At Beaufort there are all sorts of books about hiking.  Jennifer Pharr Davis has written two books on hiking in the Appalachian Mountains; she once hiked it in 46 days, an almost impossible number to imagine for someone who takes a day to hike up and down a small mountain.  There is a new book by author and hiker Kev Reynolds entitled A Walk in the Clouds, a story of hiking, meeting people, and exploring the world.

When the leaves come back on the trees, I’m going to start going to upstate New York and doing day hikes.  I’ll definitely be bringing some books with me–some old classics and some new ones.  And I will definitely be picking up A Walk in the Clouds, coming out on April 21st.

Desperate for spring,

Beausenberry Pie

Today’s Recipe: Organic Fruit Roll-Ups.  From An Organic Wife:
http://www.anorganicwife.com/2013/05/recipe-homemade-fruit-roll-ups.html

Take strawberries, or any other fruit, and cook them down in a saucepan.  Make sure to mash them, and try and boil some of the water Move them to a blender and puree them, to make sure there are no chunks in the mixture.  Take a cookie tray and cut out a piece of parchment paper to put on the bottom.  Pour the mixture evenly over the parchment paper, making sure it is not too thin.

Set your oven to the lowest possible setting, and put the trays in.  Make sure to check them often so they don’t burn.  Once they are out, you can cut them into all different shapes and sizes.